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Trumpeter Challenger 2

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14 replies
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  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Trumpeter Challenger 2
Posted by RBaer on Saturday, November 5, 2022 10:19 AM

What I've been piddling along with lately, a build of Trump's Cr2 with the Pearson dozer. The kit itself is old Trumpeter: rough, lousy fit but an attempt at a more accurate depiction of the Cr2 suspension than Tamiya's effort, and it can be built without additional armor. That being said, it's rough, blobs for bolts, goofy depictions of small details, uinusable tracks and flat out incorrect shapes and details throughout. So what I did was to use Tamiya parts where Trump parts were just plain junk, from a Tamiya Cr2 Desertized kit. I wanted to build the tank with the short "normal" side skirts which would expose the lower hull sides and suspension which Tamiya does "old school", okay if the full skirts cover it up. I also wanted to use the dozer, and after a ton of detailing, is nearly ready as well. I made it removable in case I decide to skip it. I also need to add hydraulic lines if I can find a pic or two that shows them. Anti-slip is molded on to the hull, but not the turret. So far I've enhanced the texture on the hull, removed it from the engine cover and still have to add it to the turret. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't, I'd just pony up for the RFM Cr2 and build it OOB.

So to the pics: green is Trump, tan is Tamiya and white is scratched. Some detail parts still to be added, such as tow cables, antennae and wheel center caps. 

 IMG_3708 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3706 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3704 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3703 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3705 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

On a side note, I found another Tamiya kit recently for a very attractive price, so I will be doing one "desertized" next.

 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, November 7, 2022 10:17 PM

Look cool, love the dozer blade! 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 8:06 AM

Thanks G! I'm thinking that since I have two M60 models in the case with blades, this one would look good with them. What I'm really hoping for is that with the new M48 kits coming from Takom and ILK, someone will do the M8 dozer kit. I'd love to do a Vietnam-era M48 with that on it, just thinking of how it would sit, heavily nose-down with the blade raised, and beat up fenders and road wheels and piles of stowage makes me all verklempt.

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    August 2021
Posted by lurch on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 8:38 AM

That looks realy good. I like the ideas that you have also.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Thursday, November 10, 2022 3:41 PM

Thanks. I've got a head-full of goofy ideas, all I need is time...

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Friday, November 11, 2022 9:28 AM

Your knowledge and attention to correcting details in amazing. I love what you have done here. It looks fantastic.

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Thursday, November 17, 2022 6:33 PM

Thanks! I'm just pulling stuff off pics in a couple of books, no biggie. Big Smile

I now have the decals and a wash on, all sealed up with clear and ready to weather. The fuel drums will be added later so I can get the rear appropriately dirty. I'm also doing the dozer blade separately, along with tow cables and a couple of water cans.

 IMG_3718 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3719 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 4:04 PM

Just about done now, still needs antenna masts and to finish the loader's hatch and headlights. Side skirts will be hung too. I made this one dirty since it's a dozer tank.

 IMG_3729 - Copy by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3734 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3733 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3732 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Edit: It was pointed out to me on another forum that the MRS shroud is backwards. I checked pics and sure enough it is. Or was, I just fixed it.

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 8:25 PM

She's a real dirty girl!!! 

Great work and the dirt and mud looks fantastic!!! Yes

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Monday, December 5, 2022 3:04 PM

Thanks G. 

All done now:

 IMG_3754 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3753 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3751 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3750 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3749 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 IMG_3748 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, December 5, 2022 10:17 PM

Looks awesome!!! Heart

I need to practice to get my dirt and mud to look as good! 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Saturday, December 10, 2022 11:23 AM

Thanks G! Practice is key. I once got accused of making "pastel bombs" since I weathered so heavily, but I learned moderation is an acquired skill. That and I've found that if I build a model with the intention of taking it to a show, primarily IPMS, it either needs to be "clean" or if it's dirty, on a base that shows "how" it got dirty if I want to place. Weird, but in my case true. I've had clean models I considered good do well in judging, and models I thought were better than good but dirty not place at all. Off topic but weird. 

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 10:48 AM

Amazing execution here. That thing looks like is just finished moving dirt. Well done, Sir!!

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 4:35 PM

Very nice work. 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Thursday, January 19, 2023 7:13 PM

Thanks all! 

Apprentice rivet counter.

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